Purse

Art Historical Context

This exquisite embroidered purse, crafted in Britain during the first quarter of 17th century, the artistry of Jacobean-era needlework. Measuring just 4½ by 4⅞ inches, it was fashioned from silk and metal threads worked on canvas—a technique known as canvaswork embroidery, which provided a sturdy ground for intricate stitching. The floral motifs, suggested by its tags, likely burst with vibrant blooms, rendered in shimmering silks and luxurious metal threads that caught the light, elevating this everyday accessory into a miniature masterpiece. In the early Stuart period, under King James I, s...